Anti-smoking advocates led by Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects (CEASE) in Atlantic City are again challenging what they say are unsubstantiated claims that going smoke-free would harm casino revenues and possibly result in the closing of one or more casinos.
The latest dispute arose from comments made by New Jersey Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald. He was speaking at the Southern New Jersey Development Council conference last weekend. According to CEASE, Greenwald said protecting casino workers from secondhand smoke is secondary to economic concerns and potential job losses if smoking is banned.
CEASE was quick to dispute what it called “debunked” predictions of job losses. Rather, the group suggests Greenwald’s position can be traced to campaign contributions.
“Majority Leader Greenwald has taken tens of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from Big Tobacco companies like Philip Morris,” said CEASE co-founder and Atlantic City table-game dealer Pete Naccarelli in a press release. “So it’s no surprise he wants to create Philip Morris smoking rooms that would continue to jeopardise our lives.
“Greenwald has in fact been one of the biggest barriers to advancing legislation that would actually solve the problem. It’s time for the majority leader to stop standing in the way of the bipartisan bill that has broad support that would finally close the casino smoking loophole and actually attract more visitors to Atlantic City who stay away today because of the smoke.”
UAW joins in in call for floor votes
Naccarelli was joined by Dan Vincente, Region 8 director of the United Auto Workers (which represents Atlantic City dealers), in calling for Greenwald to bring A2143, which would close the smoking loophole, to a floor vote.
The following day, Naccarelli took aim at senate president Nicholas Scutari for his reluctance to bring S1493 to a floor vote. That is the identical senate version of the smoking ban legislation.
“Senate President Scutari should not delay any longer,” Naccarelli said. “A compromise was made 18 years ago to create a loophole that endangers our health – and, once again, our leaders are kicking the can down the road.”
